Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
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Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
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Developing Policy:
The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
A Discussion Paper by the Page Research Centre
The Page Research Centre Limited ABN 81100263063 • PO Box 6190 Kingston ACT 2604Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
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About the Page Research Centre
The Page Research Centre has been established to undertake research and
develop policy aimed at enhancing the prosperity of regional Australia. Policy issues
which impact on rural and regional Australia, whether directly or indirectly, are the
focus of the Centre’s research.
The challenge raised by recent trends is to ensure that regional Australians can
share fairly in the growth and prosperity of the nation. The Page Research Centre
aims to progress imaginative, yet practical, measures to assist in this process.
The Centre is named in honour of Sir Earle Page, an early champion of the
distinctive needs and interests of people in the regions. Sir Earle Page was the
longest serving leader of the Country Party, and for brief time Prime Minister of
Australia. Although the Centre is a policy think-tank organisation affiliated with the
National Party of Australia, it is a distinct and separate unit.
The Page Research Centre Limited ABN 81100263063 • PO Box 6190 Kingston ACT 2604Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
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Developing Policy:
The Colombo Plan, a network for the future.
A Discussion Paper by the Page Research Centre
Introduction
The global economy is a dynamic environment; the European Union is in fiscal turmoil with
reverberations spreading around the globe. There are a multitude of strategists with a range of
warnings and predictions hypothesising the demise of the United Sates and rise of China. Australia
finds itself in the middle of a complex melting pot of economic cultural and ethnic tension. While it is
difficult to predict the future there are positive and tangible measures that can be implemented to
develop greater cultural awareness and understanding by dismantling the fear and distrust that has
been allowed to permeate the current debate. This discussion paper will propose the return of a once
successful policy, but reshaped appreciating the agricultural and trade foundations of Australia, in
conjunction with assisting our neighbours to continue their development.
Background
The Colombo plan established in 1950 was a bold initiative to export education through a scheme
designed to assist a number of Asian countries develop the capacity for integral nation building. By
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1985, over 20,000 foreign students had been educated in Australia through the Colombo Plan. This
initiative opened the door to private fee paying students, which over time has grown to into an $15
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Billion export business. Just as important is the progressive story of Australia’s engagement with
Asia through the 50’s to the 70’s at a time of a bipolar cold war strategic posturing, spreading
communism, anxiety about the pace of decolonisation and post-colonial governments to Australia’s
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north, and the persistence of Australia’s “White Australia” policy.
“In January 1950, Commonwealth foreign ministers meeting in Colombo, Ceylon,
recommended the creation of a scheme under which bilateral aid could flow to
developing countries in South and Southeast Asia. Later dubbed 'the Colombo Plan',
this bold initiative brought Asia and the West together at a time of great political and
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economic uncertainty.”
David Lowe Director of the Alfred Deakin Research Institute provides a detailed examination of the
Colombo plan. This policy brief makes use of a number of succinct extracts from his paper to
1
http://theconversation.edu.au/colombo-plan-an-initiative-that-brought-australia-and-asia-closer-3590 accessed 9 Jul 2012,
David Lowe Director of the Alfred Deakin Research Institute at Deakin University
2
DFAT, 2011, Composition of Trade, p 29
3
David Lowe , ibid
4
http://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/colombo_plan/index.html, accessed 9 July 2012.
The Page Research Centre Limited ABN 81100263063 • PO Box 6190 Kingston ACT 2604Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
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establish context and provide the foundations for a renewed Colombo proposal. David Lowe suggests
the Colombo plan “represented value for money: for relatively small outlays, the Australians crept their
way towards more flexible understandings of social, cultural and economic forms of engagement with
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Asia” and at the time was seen to be very progressive in “the rapid dismantling of Australia’s White
Australia policy.”
There has been numerous references made to the Colombo plan more recently. In 1996 Australian
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer made the Colombo Plan a central theme he referred to as the
“Casey” tradition where Australia’s involvement in the Colombo Plan during the 1950s under Richard
Casey’s leadership as Minister for External Affairs epitomised his efforts to build relationships with
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Asian nations. The Colombo Plan appeared in the press again in 1998 as the benchmark of positive
interaction when the Australian government was contemplating a new group of youth recruits to lead
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aid projects in Asia, akin to a peace corps. More recent references to the Colombo plan have
appeared in the wake of acts of violence directed at Indian students in Australia, as evidence of
Australians being able to look after Asian students. In the last twelve month several references to a
revised Colombo Plan have been made on a number of occupations recently with Julie Bishop
making the following comments;
“increasing the number of two-way student exchanges between Australia and the
region will only help promote greater understanding and awareness, but also
open up a new generation of networks that Australia can draw upon in the
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future.”
“Much more must be done to broaden the dialogue between Australian citizens,
Australian institutions, private groups and other diverse interests and elements
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within our society and their counterparts in countries in Asia.”
Finally Tony Abbott in his address to the Liberal federal council in Melbourne made reference to a
revised Colombo plan that would not just bring ''the best and the brightest from our region'' to study in
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Australia but would also send ''Australia's best and brightest to learn from our region''. Clearly given
the recent discussion there is perceived merit and motivation for such a scheme.
5
David Lowe , ibid
6
ibid
7
ibid
8
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/rise-of-the-dragon/capture-the-essence-of-the-colombo-plan/story-
fnama19w-1226176304038, accessed 9 July 2012, Julie Bishop is shadow minister for foreign affairs. This is an edited extract
of speech to Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University October 20.
9
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/rise-of-the-dragon/capture-the-essence-of-the-colombo-plan/story-
fnama19w-1226176304038, accessed 9 July 2012, Julie Bishop is shadow minister for foreign affairs. This is an edited extract
of speech to Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University October 20.
10
Michelle Grattan is the political editor of The Age, June 30, 2012, http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/coalition-
wants-new-colombo-plan-20120629-218ab.html, accessed 9 July 2012
The Page Research Centre Limited ABN 81100263063 • PO Box 6190 Kingston ACT 2604Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
5|Page
Developing Policy
Purpose: This brief outlines a potential policy position for the introduction of a revised Colombo
plan; it provides a broad outline of the proposed scheme and potential funding arrangements. It does
so with the underlying motive of increasing opportunities for Australians from rural and regional areas
to gain a better understanding of our Asian neighbours.
Objectives: Students from regional Australia are sent abroad to study language, culture and
politics in academic institutions throughout the Asia Pacific region to gain a greater cultural
understanding and awareness of our neighbours. Selected Foreign students who have the potential
but not the means are granted fully funded scholarship places to study undergraduate and post
graduate health, education, agriculture, business and technology and other courses at regional
Australian universities to further enhance our neighbour’s integral nation building capacity.
Outline:
1. The scheme aims to provide Australian tertiary students the opportunity for higher integration
of culture and education with Asia at the best of Asian Universities. This could include:
a. University of Hong Kong, University of Tokyo, Pohang University South Korea,
National University of Singapore, Peking University, Hong Kong University of Science
and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Kyoto University,
and other institutions; and
b. Leading universities in India, such as Indian Institute of Bombay, Indian Institute of
Kanpur, Indian Institute of Madras, University of Delhi and Indian Institute of
Technology Delhi.
2. Regional Australian universities would be encouraged to develop partnerships with Asian
Universities and establish Asian Centres of excellence to host foreign students.
3. The Scheme would be administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Partnerships
between Australia and relevant universities overseas would implement the program and
agree on placement of students. Universities would develop purpose designed and Australian
accredited courses to cater for foreign student needs in particular health, education,
agriculture, business and technology, and include bridging courses to meet and maintain
entry standards.
The Page Research Centre Limited ABN 81100263063 • PO Box 6190 Kingston ACT 2604Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
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4. The scheme would encourage regional universities to establish Australian learning centres
overseas to promote an understanding of Australian culture, politics and values potentially in
Cambodia, Laos, Burma, PNG, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. International business
may potentially employ graduates they have completed Colombo courses to assist business
expansion and growth opportunities in new Asian markets though nuanced understanding of
culture and values.
5. The Colombo scheme should be flexible to cater to a range of courses and programmes for
example foreign teachers could potentially be brought to Australia to be taught English
language skills and likewise Australian teachers learn respective languages abroad.
6. Universities are the preferred avenue to achieve the learning and cultural exchange
objectives; however there is scope to expand the scheme to vocational learning centres if
there is a recognised need.
7. Academic credibility is important for Australian Students studying aboard, like wise for foreign
student educated in Australia. Course at universities overseas could be assessed under
Australian Education International’s NOOSR framework. Credit for units taken overseas
would be agreed in the first instance by the academic board, council or executive of a regional
Australian university. The Tertiary Education and Quality Standards Agency would be
engaged in its role as the national regulator to continue to provide oversight and may need to
develop working relations with education standards organisations of partner countries.
8. Annual cost for pilot programme totals $9.3m: (assuming the costs of foreign students are the
same as Australian students except airfares). A pilot program consisting of approximately 250
students over three categories as follows.
i. 100 foundation student (bridging, entrance and preparatory) at $10k tuition
plus $18k living costs amounts to $2.8m p/a,
ii. 100 Bachelor Degree students @ $20k tuition plus $18k living costs amounts
to $3.8m p/a.
iii. 50 Post Graduate students @ $36k tuition plus $18k living costs amounts to
$2.7m p/a.
iv. Consideration for Post Graduate students to be accompanied by dependants
is a possibility with allowances estimated at a further 20k p/a.
The Page Research Centre Limited ABN 81100263063 • PO Box 6190 Kingston ACT 2604Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
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9. The Regional University Network (RUN) estimates the cost of Australian learning centres in
Asian Universities at approximately $5m p/a each. With seven recommended this equates to
an annual cost of $35m p/a.
10. 2010-11 AusAIDs annual report identifies $1.1 Billion in foreign aid funding that was spent on
education programs. 40% of this was spent in areas other than Asia. With austere financial
constraints the proposed funding would come from aligning the foreign aid budget to
Australia’s national interests. Alternatively $1 Billion could fund over 25000 student exchange
positions annually.
Supporting Data
An academic exchange program provides a great opportunity for emersion, allowing time to
experience the culture and develop a greater understanding of our neighbours. The proposed policy
calls for undergraduate and post graduate research or study, where the duration of the exchange is
anywhere from 6 months to 3 years. Research show that short duration visits (less than 3 months)
provides a minimal understanding of the culture and language. Not withstanding shorter exchanges
still provide students with greater exposure abroad, but such experience seems superficial since not
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only is their stay brief but they live in an english speaking cultural bubble.
The development of Asian centres of excellence in Australian regional universities is a positive step in
diversifying the education landscape. A scheme of this nature presents opportunities where students
from regional and rural areas that have established markets or trade relationships with Asian partners
would have access to a range of learning options to complement degrees in education, agriculture,
business, and economics with the prospect of modular exchange options.
Two way interaction is the key. The Colombo plan of old brought thousands of foreign students to
study in Australia. This interaction had a profound effect on the exchange students and the Australian
communities they interacted with, which eventuated in the abolition of the white Australia policy. To
develop the depth of understanding and mutual respect originally envisaged through the Colombo
plan correspondingly there should be vast numbers of Australian Students studying and experiencing
the cultural diversity and closing the divide with Asia. These Australian students would potentially
represent a knowledgeable resource that would form the back bone of Australia’s future foreign affairs
and business interaction with Asia in the future.
Previous research has also clearly shown that international education experiences result in
transformative outcomes that are not directly career related. Gua, Schweisfurth and Day (2010), for
11
Nelly P. Stromquist, Internationalization as a Response to Globalization: Radical Shifts in University Environments , Higher
Education, Vol. 53, No. 1 (Jan., 2007), pp. 81-105 http://www.jstor.org/stable/29735043 .Accessed: 09/07/2012 10:52
The Page Research Centre Limited ABN 81100263063 • PO Box 6190 Kingston ACT 2604Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
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example, found that international students in the UK cited personal independence; broadened life
experiences and interests; and greater acceptance of people with different attitudes and values as
key outcomes of their experience, and Gill’s (2010) study of Chinese postgraduate returnees revealed
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various shifts in values and identities related to overseas study.
As higher numbers of fee-paying students, mostly from Asia, grew in the late 1980s, those Vice-
Chancellors familiar with the Colombo Plan were uneasy about whether the market-driven approach
would cater for particular needs in Asia or overcome the logic of requited subsidies for particular
courses. But for a short time at least, the income was an extra component in budgets rather than
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something they depended on.
David Hill, professor of Southeast Asian studies at Murdoch University, welcomed the idea of more
scholarships."We need a more heterogeneous mix - not only the 'haves' who can pay our full fees to
subsidise our own poorly funded education system," he said."We also benefit from those (overseas
students) with talent and ability who require financial assistance to reach their personal potential - and
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thus enhance the potential of their home countries." Professor Hill said Australia benefited from
having graduates rise to high positions in the region, citing the three members of Indonesia's cabinet
who had studied in Australia. "If we didn't have those people in leadership positions, we would have a
much harder time putting our case (when there are bilateral tensions)," he said.
Anthony Welch, professor of education at the University of Sydney, said Australia's higher education
system was more dependent on full fee-paying students than any other.
"This has long been a problem for poor students of ability, mainly from the
Asia-Pacific, where Australia sources the overwhelming majority of its
overseas students,"
He said more scholarships would help universities because the strong dollar makes it harder to recruit
fee-paying students, as well as helping to create a cadre of "high-quality personnel" for neighbouring
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countries.
On 30 June 2012 there were 307 050 international student visa holders in Australia. On 30 June 2012
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there were 71 227 student visa holders from China and 38 029 student visa holders from India.
12
Shanthi Robertson, Lynnel Hoare & Aramiha Harwood (2011): Returnees,
student-migrants and second chance learners: case studies of positional and transformative
outcomes of Australian international education, Compare: A Journal of Comparative and
International Education, 41:5, 685-698
13
http://theconversation.edu.au/colombo-plan-an-initiative-that-brought-australia-and-asia-closer-3590 accessed 9 Jul 2012,
David Lowe Director of the Alfred Deakin Research Institute at Deakin University
14
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/new-colombo-plan-could-aid-our-image/story-e6frgcjx-1226350358583,
accessed 9 July 2012.
15
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/new-colombo-plan-could-aid-our-image/story-e6frgcjx-1226350358583,
accessed 9 July 2012.
16
Department of Immigration and citizenship, Student visa program quarterly report , 30 June 2012, page 8
The Page Research Centre Limited ABN 81100263063 • PO Box 6190 Kingston ACT 2604Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
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While these figures are encouraging in terms of addressing the cultural divide there are very few
Australians studying in India or China. The student visa numbers represent the growing ability of
families from industrialising countries like China and India to send students abroad. Higher currency
exchange rates anecdotally are directly impacting upon regional university bottom lines. Increasing
economic volatility and markets such as China potentially contracting, may result in a reduction of
future funding. Scholarships granted to countries of higher need as Professor Welch suggest, spent in
regional universities may address this potential funding deficiency.
The Australian higher education system is optimised to follow on from a demanding K-12 school
program. Many neighbouring countries do not have the same preparation for higher education. It is to
be expected that the target audience of foreign students may exhibit the potential but may need
bridging courses, English language training and extension work to meet the expended standards
required. Potentially the development of specialist courses for foreign students may also be suitable
for disadvantaged or Indigenous Australian students that traditionally have not had a solid primary
and secondary education that would sufficiently prepare them for undergraduate study.
Emeritus Professor John Yovich, former Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University suggests that full
three year degree exchanges are not the best mode for delivery. To achieve more effective outcomes
for the exchange program Professor Yovich suggests universities in the future will seek a work-
learning balance, where smaller modular delivery blocks complement work place experience and
progression, he advocates 6 to 12 month targeted exchanges. Ideally university are best placed to
develop the detailed implementation of the plan and should be given that responsibility.
There is an expectation that Australian students that study overseas receive a qualification or credit
that is equivalent to that gained in Australian Universities. The Regional Universities Network
suggests that this is not problematic and that many universities establishing partnerships with Asian
Universities in a scheme of this nature would encourage further interaction.
Violence experienced by Indian students in 2009-10 is still at the forefront of many minds, but
commentators such as the Lowy Institute’s Michael Wesley are urging, now is the time for next-
generation Asia-literacy. Australia is unavoidably implicated in the rise of Asia, engagement based on
a breadth of human interactions and longer-term connections is required. Education of both
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Australians and Asians can, and should, have a big role to play.
To fund a scheme of this nature it is natural to look to AusAID. AusAID’s 2012/13 budget is over
$5.2billion, 21% of this figure is to be spent on education, but over 40% of the education allocation will
not be spent in our region. There is scope to realign our foreign aid budget with our national
17
http://theconversation.edu.au/colombo-plan-an-initiative-that-brought-australia-and-asia-closer-3590 accessed 9 Jul 2012,
David Lowe Director of the Alfred Deakin Research Institute at Deakin University
The Page Research Centre Limited ABN 81100263063 • PO Box 6190 Kingston ACT 2604Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
10 | P a g e
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interests. It is acknowledged that DFAT provisions a number of exchange scholarships through the
Australian Awards program. $200 million is allocated each year in international scholarships which, at
any time, support around 5,000 international students, researchers and professionals to study in
Australia and for Australians to study, research and undertake professional development overseas.
The Colombo Plan would complement the exchange programs already in place. The Colombo plan
addresses the need for grass roots capacity building in our neighbouring regions in key areas such as
health, education, agriculture and technology, where the current schemes do not.
Conclusion
A Revitalised Colombo Plan draws on the success of the original scheme to promote cultural
understanding through two way scholarship exchanges. The scheme is funded by realigning our
foreign aid budget to focus on capacity building and long term development of our neighbours. The
reliance on regional Universities to implement a scheme of this nature is twofold. Firstly it broadens
the higher education sector through the establishment of Asian centres of excellence and secondly it
creates opportunities for Regional Australians to develop an understanding of potential future markets.
18
AusAID, 2010/11 Annual Report, p18
The Page Research Centre Limited ABN 81100263063 • PO Box 6190 Kingston ACT 2604Developing Policy: The Colombo Plan - A network for the future.
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Bibliography
AusAID, 2010/11 Annual Report
DFAT, 2011, Composition of Trade
Department of Immigration and citizenship, Student visa program quarterly report , 30 June 2012, page 8
http://theconversation.edu.au/colombo-plan-an-initiative-that-brought-australia-and-asia-closer-3590 accessed 9 Jul 2012,
David Lowe Director of the Alfred Deakin Research Institute at Deakin University
Michelle Grattan is the political editor of The AgeJune 30, 2012, http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/coalition-wants-
new-colombo-plan-20120629-218ab.html, accessed 9 July 2012
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/rise-of-the-dragon/capture-the-essence-of-the-colombo-plan/story-
fnama19w-1226176304038, accessed 9 July 2012, Julie Bishop is shadow minister for foreign affairs. This is an edited extract
of speech to Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University October 20.
Sandra Meiras (2004): International Education in Australian Universities:
Understandings, Dimensions and Problems, Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management,
26:3, 371-380
Shanthi Robertson, Lynnel Hoare & Aramiha Harwood (2011): Returnees, student-migrants and second chance learners: case
studies of positional and transformative outcomes of Australian international education, Compare: A Journal of Comparative
and International Education, 41:5, 685-698
Nelly P. Stromquist, Internationalization as a Response to Globalization: Radical Shifts in University Environments , Higher
Education, Vol. 53, No. 1 (Jan., 2007), pp. 81-105 http://www.jstor.org/stable/29735043 .Accessed: 09
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